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About the Book

There’s nothing wrong with being shy. But if shyness or social anxiety keeps you from building meaningful relationships with others, advancing in your education or career, or simply living your best life, The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook offers a comprehensive program to help you confront your fears and become actively involved in the world.

If you are shy or socially anxious, you may dread going to parties, speaking in front of crowds or people you don’t know, going to job interviews, and other critical life situations. You aren’t alone. In fact, studies show that millions of people suffer from a social anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, you can’t hide from some social situations—no matter how much you wish you could. But you don’t have to go on suffering silently. The good news is there are proven-effective techniques you can start using right away to help ease your anxiety or shyness and start living the life you were meant to live: a life where fear doesn’t get in the way of reaching your goals.

This fully revised and updated third edition incorporates breakthrough new research and techniques for overcoming social phobia, including a new chapter on mindfulness-based treatments, updated information on medications, and an overview of treatment-enhancing technological advances. As you complete the activities in this workbook, you'll learn to find your strengths and weaknesses using self-evaluation, explore and examine your fears, create a personalized plan for change, and put your plan into action through gentle and gradual exposure to the very social situations that cause you to feel uneasy. After completing this program, you'll be well-equipped to make connections with the people around you. Soon, you'll be on your way to enjoying all the benefits of being actively involved in the social world.

If you’re ready to confront your fears to live an enjoyable, satisfying life, this new edition of The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook offers a comprehensive program to help you get started. What are you waiting for?

This book has been awarded The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Self-Help Seal of Merit—an award bestowed on outstanding self-help books that are consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and that incorporate scientifically tested strategies for overcoming mental health difficulties. Used alone or in conjunction with therapy, our books offer powerful tools readers can use to jump-start changes in their lives.

Contributors

Martin M. Antony, PhD, is professor in the department of psychology at Ryerson University in Toronto, ON, Canada, where he also served as department chair and graduate program director. Previously, he was founding director of both the Anxiety... Read more

Richard P. Swinson, MD, is professor emeritus and past chair of the department of psychiatry and behavioural neurosciences at McMaster University in Hamilton, ON, Canada. Previously, he was medical director of the Anxiety Treatment and Research... Read more

Books by Richard P. Swinson

Praise

“Antony and Swinson bring their combined expertise to bear in helping readers understand and reduce their social anxiety. In covering social anxiety from A-Z, they include state-of-the-art information and research-proven strategies for overcoming this often-debilitating problem. This is the first workbook I recommend to my patients with social anxiety—its clear and powerful recommendations can help you get more out of life!”—Jonathan S. Abramowitz, PhD, director of the University of North Carolina Anxiety and Stress Disorders Program

“Social anxiety and shyness can become so intense that they prevent people from enjoying life. This book is ideal for anyone who wants to learn to be more comfortable around other people. Antony and Swinson have taken proven treatments for social anxiety and adapted them for a nonprofessional audience. The step-by-step strategies described in this book have been shown to be effective, are easy to understand, and are sure to help the reader cope better in social situations. Anyone who experiences significant anxiety when performing or when interacting with other people should read this book!”—Aaron T. Beck, MD, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania

“This is an excellent resource written by skilled, world-renowned clinicians and researchers in the area of anxiety disorders. Antony and Swinson present the most up-to-date information about social anxiety and its treatment in a way that is clear and, most importantly, that provides step-by-step tools for overcoming this disorder. This is a must-read for persons suffering with social anxiety.”—Michelle G. Craske, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles

“If you have trouble with social anxiety, you will find this book by Antony and Swinson to be an excellent resource. This highly experienced duo has provided an excellent road map to guide you through your efforts to overcome your anxiety and improve the quality of your life. Based on the tried-and-true methods of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and on the results of many scientific studies, the techniques described in this book will help you feel better when you are with other people or the center of attention. The only thing you have to do is work hard and apply them. Best wishes for your journey along that road.”—Richard Heimberg, PhD, Thaddeus L. Bolton Professor of Psychology, and director of the Adult Anxiety Clinic of Temple University

“This volume, written by a team composed of a psychologist and a psychiatrist, is an outstanding workbook for any individual suffering from social anxiety or shyness and wishing to undertake a structured self-help program to overcome it. The book can be used alone or in conjunction with therapy. The authors are experts in their field and they offer strategies that are solidly grounded in the latest research literature. The workbook format provides readers with the exercises and worksheets they need to do the difficult work required to overcome their shyness and social anxiety.”—Jacqueline B. Persons, PhD, director of the Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Science Center in Oakland, CA, and clinical professor in the department of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley

“This workbook by Antony and Swinson gives the millions of people whose lives are limited by social fears the hope to control their future. The book is clear, practical, easy to follow, and, above all, based on solid, scientific ground. The sections on troubleshooting are especially valuable to really help fine tune the techniques. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who is serious about overcoming their social fears.”—Ronald M. Rapee, PhD, distinguished professor of psychology at the Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

“Antony and Swinson provide practical advice in a highly readable format. This book will be invaluable to people whose social anxiety prevents them from leading full and happy lives.”—Murray B. Stein, MD, professor of psychiatry, and director of the Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders Research Program at the University of California, San Diego

“If you know you are paying a price by shying away from social encounters, then you don’t have to wait until you are ‘ready’ to step out into the world. Let this book help you get ready. As you absorb the many insights within these pages, this plan will make such impressive sense that you’ll feel your confidence grow. If you are like my clients who apply these clear tactics, you’ll soon reap the benefits of your courageous actions.”—Reid Wilson, PhD, author of Stopping the Noise in Your Head

New Harbinger has published proven-effective self-help books and workbooks, as well as professional books on topics in psychology, health, and personal growth. Our books provide evidence-based therapies such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and more.